WATCH: Fireflies Snap Skid, Stomp RiverDogs 13-1
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Fireflies) — The Fireflies scored a season-high 13 runs — most of those coming in an eight-run eighth inning — to soar past the RiverDogs, 13-1, on Monday night at Spirit Communications Park. Thirteen batters came to the plate in that eighth inning. The eight runs were also a season-high for scores in one inning.
Columbia (6-6) scoring started right away. In the bottom of the first Vinny Siena doubled home Kevin Kaczmarski after the lead-off man drew a walk off of Anyelo Gomez (L, 0-1).
Gomez was roughed up some more in the third. J.C. Rodriguez led off with a single and moved to second base when Siena walked. After a wild pitch, Rodriguez was in scoring position at third base with David Thompson at the plate. His sacrifice fly put the home team up, 2-0. Later in the frame, Dash Winningham plated a run to increase the lead to 3-0.
Joe Tuschak wanted in on the action in the bottom of the fifth. With Siena aboard after his second walk, Tuschak drilled a fastball off of Charleston (9-3) reliever Daris Vargus that caromed off the right-centerfield wall. His run-scoring triple pushed the Fireflies ahead by four.
The teams traded runs in the sixth and seventh innings and Columbia entered the eighth already with a sizable 5-1 advantage. Six hitters reached base safely in the frame at least once and Tyler Moore collected two hits. Rodriguez, Thompson, Winningham, Tucker Tharp and Milton Ramos all drove in runs. When the inning came to a close, the scoreboard featured an eye-popping 13-1 score.
On the mound, Columbia received six shutout innings of work from righty Joe Shaw (W, 2-0). The Texan matched his career-high (set during his last brilliant start on Tuesday, April 12) with eight punch-outs and scattered just four hits.
The Fireflies can continue the offensive surge on Tuesday when they host the RiverDogs in the second game of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Manager Jose Leger calls on right-hander Chase Ingram (1-0, 1.80) to tangle with RiverDogs righty Cody Carrol (0-0, 1.23).
You can listen to the action on WGCV 620 AM and 105.1 FM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and the TuneIn Radio app starting at 7:00 p.m.
